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Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other. (NCADV)

Under the University of Tennessee Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence, Stalking, and Retaliation, “Relationship violence” encompasses both domestic and dating violence.

Relationship violence does not discriminate and can happen regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender. Relationship violence can be physical, emotional/verbal, sexual, or even economic.

If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, or if you know a student who is struggling in one of these relationships, please reach out for help and support. You do not have to carry this fear, blame, hurt, guilt, isolation, or anxiety alone.

Sexual Abuse: A form of physical abuse in which a person is forced or coerced into unwanted, unsafe, or degrading sexual behavior without that person’s consent

Forced sexual intercourse (rape)

Attacks on sexual parts of the body

Unwanted touching or kissing

Forcing sex after physical violence has occurred

Treating one in a sexually demeaning manner

Emotional/Verbal or Psychological Abuse: When a person’s sense of self, self-esteem and self-worth are attacked and weakened, causing that person to feel trapped and as though they have nothing outside of the relationship

Constant criticism

Name-calling

Yelling

Blaming and shaming

Isolation from friends, family, school, work

Intimidation

Belittling

Threatening physical harm to self or others, such as children, family, or friends

Hurting of pets

Damaging property

Economic Abuse: When a person’s money is controlled by the other person and he/she becomes financially dependent on them as a result

Intentionally or knowingly causes another to reasonably fear imminent bodily injury; or

Intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another and a reasonable person would regard the contact as extremely offensive or provocative.

Assault is a Class A misdemeanor unless the offense is committed under subdivision (a)(3), in which event assault is a Class B misdemeanor; provided, that, if the offense is committed against a law enforcement officer or a health care provider acting in the discharge of the provider’s duty

This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-WA-AX-0024 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.